Melissa Sanchez
ProPublica
Chicago, IL, United States
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Past articles by Melissa:
Officials Move to Address Problems Facing Immigrant Workers on Wisconsin Dairy Farms
A ProPublica investigation showed how language barriers contributed to authorities wrongly blaming a dairy farm worker for his son’s death. Lawmakers have responded. → Read More
“A Failure on All Our Parts.” Thousands of Immigrant Children Wait in Government Shelters.
A system intended to protect young immigrants while they wait for new homes has instead been overused, experts say, leading to prolonged stays in federal custody. → Read More
In Debate Over Chicago’s Speed Cameras, Concerns Over Safety, Racial Disparities Collide
Cities nationwide look to Chicago as officials wrestle with whether speed cameras have improved traffic safety enough to justify their financial burden on Black and Latino motorists. → Read More
Nearly 200 Children Who Fled Afghanistan Without Family Are Stuck in US Custody
Afghan children brought here without family by the U.S. during the military pullout are languishing in federal custody. → Read More
These Children Fled Afghanistan Without Their Families. They’re Stuck in U.S. Custody.
Nearly 200 Afghan children brought here without family by the U.S. government during the haphazard military pullout are languishing in federal custody. → Read More
Chicago’s “Race-Neutral” Traffic Cameras Ticket Black and Latino Drivers the Most
A ProPublica analysis found that traffic cameras in Chicago disproportionately ticket Black and Latino motorists. But city officials plan to stick with them — and other cities may adopt them too. → Read More
Overdose Deaths Have Skyrocketed in Chicago, and the Coronavirus Pandemic May Be Making It Worse —
Opioid-related deaths in Cook County have doubled since this time last year, and similar increases are happening across the country. “If you’re alone, there’s nobody to give you the Narcan,” said one coroner. → Read More
At least 19 immigrant children at Chicago detainee shelter tested positive for COVID-19
A coronavirus outbreak at a Heartland Alliance facility on Chicago’s South Side may be the largest outbreak of the virus in any shelter for immigrant youth in the country. → Read More
Tens of Thousands of People Lost Driver’s Licenses Over Unpaid…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation Friday to end license suspensions for unpaid parking tickets, affecting nearly 55,000 Illinois motorists. Lawmakers cited ProPublica Illinois and WBEZ Chicago reporting for leading to the new law. → Read More
Inside the Illinois House Hearing on the Financial Aid Scandal —
Lawmakers described the practice as disturbing, disheartening and shocking. → Read More
U.S. Department of Education wants to stop ‘student aid fraud scheme’ where parents give up custody through dubious guardianships
The department’s inspector general wants to close financial aid loopholes in the wake of a Pro Publica report. → Read More
Parents giving up custody of their kids to get need-based college financial aid
First, parents turn over guardianship of their teenagers to a friend or relative. Then the student declares financial independence to qualify for tuition aid and scholarships. → Read More
Parents Are Giving Up Custody of Their Kids to Get Need-Based College Financial Aid —
First, parents turn over guardianship of their teenagers to a friend or relative. Then the student declares financial independence to qualify for tuition aid and scholarships. → Read More
She’s Risked Arrest by Driving With a Suspended License for Seven Years. This Week She Got Some Big News. —
Some 55,000 Illinoisans could regain their driver’s licenses very soon. → Read More
Immigrant Children Sent to Chicago Shelters Are Traumatized and Sick, in Some Instances With Chicken Pox or Tuberculosis —
Hundreds of children are being detained in shelters run by Heartland Human Care Services, which says it has made changes since allegations that children were neglected and mistreated. → Read More
‘You’re destroying families’ — Their father speaks Spanish. Their foster parents raised them to speak Slovak.
For generations, Illinois’ child welfare agency has failed to adequately serve Spanish-speaking families with children in its care. → Read More
For generations, Illinois’ child welfare agency has failed to adequately serve Spanish-speaking families with children in its care.
For generations, Illinois’ child welfare agency has failed to adequately serve Spanish-speaking families with children in its care. → Read More
Task Force on Tickets and Debt Suggests Reforms but Needs Chicago’s Mayor and City Council to Finish the Work —
A report from the Chicago Fines, Fees & Access Collaborative responded to many of the problems ProPublica Illinois and WBEZ Chicago revealed. → Read More
After controversy, Heartland to close 4 Illinois shelters for immigrant youth
The closures come eight months after its shelters for immigrant children came under public scrutiny over allegations of abuse and lax supervision. → Read More
Everybody in Chicago’s Mayor’s Race Says They Want Ticket Reform
Proposals from the 14 candidates range from studying ticketing enforcement disparities to overhauling payment plans. → Read More